Aryna Sabalenka Shines at the 2025 French Open: A Quest for Glory

A Dominant Force on the Clay

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been a standout performer at the 2025 French Open, showcasing her power and resilience as she advances toward a potential maiden title at Roland Garros. With three Grand Slam titles already to her name—two Australian Opens (2023, 2024) and the 2024 US Open—Sabalenka is proving that her aggressive playing style is adaptable to the demanding clay courts of Paris. Her journey this year has been marked by consistency, having reached the quarterfinals in 10 consecutive Grand Slams, a feat unmatched since Serena Williams’ remarkable run from 2014 to 2017. This statistic, which Sabalenka herself described as “crazy,” underscores her evolution into one of the most formidable players in women’s tennis.

Her path to the semifinals has been nothing short of commanding. Sabalenka kicked off her campaign with a blistering 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, dropping just one game in a display of ruthless efficiency. She continued her dominance with wins over Jil Teichmann (6-3, 6-1), Olga Danilovic (6-2, 6-3), and Amanda Anisimova, overcoming a challenging 2-5 head-to-head record against the latter on clay. In the quarterfinals, she faced Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, recovering from a slow start to secure a 7-6(3), 6-3 victory. Sabalenka’s ability to capitalize on her opponents’ errors—Zheng committed 31 unforced errors to Sabalenka’s 18—while maintaining her aggressive baseline play and improving her net game has been key to her success.

The Blockbuster Semifinal: Sabalenka vs. Swiatek

The tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for Sabalenka’s semifinal showdown against defending champion Iga Swiatek, a match billed as a clash between the WTA’s two biggest stars. Swiatek, the “Queen of Clay,” boasts a 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros and a 5-1 record against Sabalenka on clay. However, Sabalenka’s recent form, including a 6-3, 6-3 win over Swiatek in their last meeting at the Cincinnati Open, suggests she’s ready to challenge the Pole’s dominance. Sabalenka’s strategy will likely hinge on controlling the first few shots of each rally, as her powerful forehand and aggressive positioning inside the baseline put immense pressure on her opponents’ serves.

This semifinal marks only their second Grand Slam encounter, the first since the 2022 US Open. Sabalenka has expressed excitement for the challenge, noting that high-level matches like these push her to improve. Off the court, the two have developed a newfound camaraderie, having practiced together before the tournament. This dynamic adds an intriguing layer to their rivalry, as Sabalenka mentioned they now “get along better” and practice more often, a shift from their previously distant relationship.

A Personality That Captivates

Beyond her on-court prowess, Sabalenka’s vibrant personality has endeared her to fans. After her quarterfinal win, she celebrated with dance moves to her theme song “Tiger” on Court Philippe Chatrier, playfully responding to Novak Djokovic’s imitation of her signature victory poses. Fans on social media praised her charisma, with comments like “she is the best” and “Aryna is the kind of person you’d like to have as a friend.” Her tradition of snapping Polaroid photos of her bags and the court, a habit she started in December, reflects her desire to capture meaningful moments in her career, adding a personal touch to her journey.

Advocacy and Growth

Sabalenka’s influence extends beyond her performance. She recently voiced a call for greater equality in scheduling, advocating for women’s matches to be given prime-time slots, a sentiment echoed in posts on X. Her outspokenness on this issue, combined with her critique of overbearing coaching practices earlier in the tournament, highlights her commitment to improving the sport. She’s also shown growth in her game, particularly in her net play and drop shots, which she honed during her first-round match to prepare for the challenges of clay.

Looking Ahead

As Sabalenka prepares to face Swiatek, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory would propel her to her first French Open final, a milestone that has eluded her despite her success on other surfaces. While Swiatek’s clay-court dominance makes her a formidable opponent, Sabalenka’s confidence, power, and recent improvements make her a genuine threat. Win or lose, her 2025 French Open campaign has solidified her status as a versatile and dynamic force in tennis.

Will Sabalenka claim the “beautiful trophy” she’s chasing? The tennis world awaits the answer in what promises to be an electrifying semifinal.